I would definitely keep them separate, unless perhaps if the pot was actually a tub. I think they would look better that way, and you might avoid the trouble of intertwined roots, when repotting or root pruning. You could always plant something with a shallow root system around them, that wouldn't compete too much for space, like low growing sedums, if you want the pots to fill out a bit. VG

No offense taken, hoe_hoe_hoe. It's about twelve years old. And you know the old saying about the growth of plants--they sleep, they creep and they leap. In other words, they grow very slowly at first and then--watch out. I had seen Arnold Promise at the Arnold Arboretum here in Boston so I knew it got big tho it didn't happen for several years. But I wanted it for a specific spot against the south side of my house where there isn't much room. Hence, the necessity of hard pruning. One interesting thing I forgot. The very first time I ever saw Arnold Promise was at a friend's house. She had one espaliered against the front of her dark-brown house. It was quite striking. I've never seen that treatment before or since. It seemed happy, tho labor-intensive.

Agardenstateof mind - it probably is Deep Cut Gardens though the name doesn't ring a bell. Is it the one with the old hemlocks in back of the main house with the stairs going down? I surprised no one has mentioned it here before unless I just missed it. Birdgardner, thanks for the update. I wanted to recommend Arnold's Promise so I'm glad you got it. The scent is great and the blooms glow. I have Diane as well but I have been disappointed in mine. It doesn't bloom well though I can't say that about other Diane's I've seen. I just got a dud and I am thinking about shovel pruning it. Also, although I've caught a scent off it once or twice over many years, it mostly doesn't have a scent. As far as combo's, winter jasmine, helleborus foetidus, early purple, blue or yellow bulbs like iris reticulata and crocus, any evergreen, cornus winterflame, kerria and other colorful stems. There is a beautiful display at Brooklyn with a the collection of witch hazel heavily under planted with purple crocus tommasinianus and it's gorgeous.

babs, I seem to like both the yellows and the reds so I will have to take a look at that 'Diane'. I haven't seen any of these in a garden setting, only in photos. I hope you have good luck with yours this winter..and maybe you will post a photo in the spring when it blooms? :-) dtd...What a shame that the suckering spoils the effect. One of the qualities I like about the witch hazel, is the form. The bloom and the fall foliage alone is something you can probably find in other shrubs, but I have seen a number of photos of WHazels that have a wonderful form. Of course, I was assuming that some pruning was involved to do that, but I didn't realize they sucker that badly. I think it would make me unhappy if it suckered that much. For instance, on crabtrees that have a lot of suckering at the base. I really want to see that single, attractive trunk and the suckering at the base just spoils it for me. So, when you say 'ask about the rootstock', are you saying that the particular shrubs you bought from forestfarm were the problem and that some nurseries might sell some that won't sucker? Can I ask, what is your favorite aspect of having a Witch Hazel in your garden and if you gave it away would you really miss it? Thank you both.. :-) pm2